Welding nozzle for improved gas coverage

Abstract

A welding nozzle contains a plurality of orifices through which a shielding gas is directed. The shielding gas is routed by an inner member to flow directly onto the weld area in an axial direction through the inner member and in a radial direction through the plurality of orifices. The welding nozzle causes the shielding gas to completely surround the weld area and optimizes weld quality. This welding nozzle is particularly suited for use with a gas stream shielded arc welding device.

I claim: 
     
       1. A welding nozzle adapted for connection to a gas stream shielded arc welding device having a consumable welding wire extending therefrom and operative to distribute a flow of shielding gas from the arc welding device to a weld area, the welding nozzle comprising: an outer member having a hollow tubular body, a first end portion being removably attachable to the arc welding device and a second end portion being spaced apart from the first end portion, the outer member defining a plurality of orifices disposed circumferentially about the second end portion; and   an inner member being disposed within the hollow tubular body of the outer member and defining a continuous predetermined gap therebetween and having a hollow tubular body being adapted to surround the welding wire, a first end portion, and a second end portion terminating at a location between the first and second end portions of the outer member, the first end portion of the inner member being attached in a fluidtight manner to the second end portion of the outer member and operative to direct a portion of the flow of shielding gas from the direction of the first end portion of the outer member through the plurality of orifices of the second end portion of the outer member.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the welding nozzle is fashioned from a metallic material. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first end portion of the inner member is brazed to the second end portion of the outer member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the welding nozzle attaches to the welding device in a screw threadable manner. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the welding nozzle defines a reference axis extending between and parallel to the first and second end portions of the outer member, a reference plane perpendicular to the reference axis, and a reference circle encircling the reference axis and located wholly within the reference plane, each of the plurality of orifices defining a longitudinal axis extending through the outer member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each longitudinal axis of the respective ones of the plurality of orifices is disposed radially with respect to the reference axis and being located wholly in the reference plane. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein each longitudinal axis is defining an angle λ from the reference plane. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the angle λ of the longitudinal axis of each one of the plurality of orifices with respect to the reference plane is an acute angle, and the angle λ has an apex formed by the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the reference plane, the apex of the angle λ being disposed in the direction of the first end portion of the outer member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each longitudinal axis of the respective ones of the plurality of orifices is disposed radially with respect to the reference axis and each longitudinal axis is disposed at a tangential angle θ to the reference circle, the longitudinal axis located wholly in the reference plane. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein each longitudinal axis is defining an angle λ from the reference plane. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the angle λ of the longitudinal axis of each one of the plurality of orifices with respect to the reference plane is an acute angle, and the angle λ has an apex formed by the intersection of the longitudinal axis and the reference plane, the apex of the angle λ being disposed in the direction of the first end portion of the outer member. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the plurality of orifices each defines an arcuate axis extending through the outer member, and each arcuate axis has a predetermined amount of curvature such that each orifice of the plurality of orifices takes on a spiraling aspect as the orifice cuts through the hollow tubular body of the outer member. 
     
     
       13. A welding nozzle adapted for connection to a gas stream shielded arc welding device having a consumable welding wire extending therefrom and operative to distribute a flow of shielding gas from the arc welding device to a weld area, the welding nozzle comprising: an outer member having a hollow tubular body, a first end portion being removably attachable to the arc welding device and a second end portion being spaced apart from the first end portion, the outer member defining a plurality of orifices disposed circumferentially about the second end portion;   an inner member being disposed within the hollow tubular body of the outer member and defining a continuous predetermined gap (46) therebetween and having a hollow tubular body being adapted to surround the welding wire, a first end portion, and a second end portion terminating at a location between the first and second end portions of the outer member, the first end portion of the inner member being attached in a fluidtight manner to the second end portion of the outer member and operative to direct a portion of the flow of shielding gas from the direction of the first end portion of the outer member through the plurality of orifices of the second end portion of the outer member; and   wherein the welding nozzle defines a reference axis extending through the center of the hollow tubular body of the outer member and the plurality of orifices being arranged perpendicular to the reference axis.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is directed in a direction toward the second end portion of the outer member and away from the inner member. 
     
     
       15. A welding nozzle adapted for connection to a gas stream shielded arc welding device having a consumable welding wire extending therefrom and operative to distribute a flow of shielding gas from the arc welding device to a weld area, the welding nozzle comprising: an outer member having a hollow tubular body, a first end portion being removably attachable to the arc welding device and a second end portion being spaced apart from the first end portion, the outer member defining a plurality of orifices disposed circumferentially about the second end portion;   an inner member being disposed within the hollow tubular body of the outer member and defining a continuous predetermined gap therebetween and having a hollow tubular body being adapted to surround the welding wire, a first end portion, and a second end portion terminating at a location between the first and second end portions of the outer member, the first end portion of the inner member being attached in a fluidtight manner to the second end portion of the outer member and operative to direct a portion of the flow of shielding gas from the direction of the first end portion of the outer member through the plurality of orifices of the second end portion of the outer member; and   wherein the welding nozzle defines a reference axis extending through the center of the hollow tubular body of the outer member and a reference plane perpendicular to the reference axis, and wherein each of the plurality of orifices defines a longitudinal axis extending through the outer member, each longitudinal axis lying obliquely from the reference axis.   
     
     
       16. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein each longitudinal axis is directed toward the second end portion of the outer member and away from the inner member. 
     
     
       17. A welding nozzle adapted for connection to a gas stream shielded arc welding device having a consumable welding wire extending therefrom and operative to distribute a flow of shielding gas from the arc welding device to a weld area, the welding nozzle comprising: an outer member having a hollow tubular body, a first end portion being removably attachable to the arc welding device and a second end portion being spaced apart from the first end portion, the outer member defining a plurality of orifices disposed circumferentially about the second end portion;   an inner member being disposed within the hollow tubular body of the outer member and defining a continuous predetermined gap therebetween and having a hollow tubular body being adapted to surround the welding wire, a first end portion, and a second end portion terminating at a location between the first and second end portions of the outer member, the first end portion of the inner member being attached in a fluidtight manner to the second end portion of the outer member and operative to direct a portion of the flow of shielding gas from the direction of the first end portion of the outer member through the plurality of orifices of the second end portion of the outer member; and   wherein the welding nozzle defines a reference axis extending through the center of the hollow tubular body of the outer member, each of the plurality of orifices being arranged about the reference axis and having a predetermined amount of curvature.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is defined within the hollow tubular body of the outer member in a cylindrical spiral configuration.